Fort Worth

Remember Black Friday frenzies? Check out these Fort Worth photos of holiday mayhem.

2010: Shoppers at Super Target in Allen, Texas, run into the store at 3 a.m. to take advantage of Black Friday deals.
2010: Shoppers at Super Target in Allen, Texas, run into the store at 3 a.m. to take advantage of Black Friday deals. DAVID WOO The Dallas Morning News

“Black Friday” these days is more of a weeks-long season of holiday sales than a one-day-of-the-year shopping frenzy starting at 5 a.m. (or earlier).

It wasn’t that long ago that thousands of Fort Worth shoppers traditionally started lining up on Thanksgiving afternoons, sleeping on cold sidewalks to be the first in line at a Toys R Us, Circuit City, Target or Walmart.

There still are shoppers who do Black Friday on the actual “Black Friday,” but the days of true shopping mayhem may be over, thanks to online retailers (and many of us coming to our senses).

Here’s a look back at Star-Telegram photos from peak Black Friday craziness in the 2000s and 2010s.

2005: Shoppers rush into the Super Target on Carroll Street in Fort Worth at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
2005: Shoppers rush into the Super Target on Carroll Street in Fort Worth at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. Ralph Lauer Star-Telegram/Ralph Lauer
Nov. 24, 2006: Michelle Spellmon, Tanja Webster and her husband Patrick Webster take a break after making their Black Friday purchases at Marshall’s in Montgomery Plaza in Fort Worth. The group started shopping at Best Buy at 5 a.m and still had another store or two to go at 9 a.m.
Nov. 24, 2006: Michelle Spellmon, Tanja Webster and her husband Patrick Webster take a break after making their Black Friday purchases at Marshall’s in Montgomery Plaza in Fort Worth. The group started shopping at Best Buy at 5 a.m and still had another store or two to go at 9 a.m. Ralph Lauer STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 24, 2006: Debra Hayes and her mother, Margaret Mayo, look for Black Friday sales in the shoe department at JC Penney in Parks Mall, Arlington.
Nov. 24, 2006: Debra Hayes and her mother, Margaret Mayo, look for Black Friday sales in the shoe department at JC Penney in Parks Mall, Arlington. BRIAN LAWDERMILK Special to Star-Telegram
Nov. 24, 2006: Denise Hill, left, and her sister, Esther Coleman, load bags into their car on Black Friday morning at a JC Penney at Parks Mall in Arlington.
Nov. 24, 2006: Denise Hill, left, and her sister, Esther Coleman, load bags into their car on Black Friday morning at a JC Penney at Parks Mall in Arlington. BRIAN LAWDERMILK Special to Star-Telegram
Nov. 23, 2007: People line up at 5 a.m. at Parks Mall in Arlington for Christmas bargains for Black Friday.
Nov. 23, 2007: People line up at 5 a.m. at Parks Mall in Arlington for Christmas bargains for Black Friday. JOYCE MARSHALL STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 23, 2007: Latangya Clinton, right, helps daughter Vanessa Clinton, 13, choose a set of speakers for her iPod at Radio Shack in Ridgmar Mall on Black Friday
Nov. 23, 2007: Latangya Clinton, right, helps daughter Vanessa Clinton, 13, choose a set of speakers for her iPod at Radio Shack in Ridgmar Mall on Black Friday RON T. ENNIS STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 23, 2007: Jennifer Thompson and Arthur K. Tardy of Arlington wait in line to check out at Toys R Us in Arlington on Black Friday. They waited in line since before 5 a.m.
Nov. 23, 2007: Jennifer Thompson and Arthur K. Tardy of Arlington wait in line to check out at Toys R Us in Arlington on Black Friday. They waited in line since before 5 a.m. JOYCE MARSHALL STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov 18, 2007: From left, Lacey Morris, Josh Smithers and Danny Prine along with all the employees at the Best Buy in Hurst, Texas, rehearse for Black Friday on the Sunday before.
Nov 18, 2007: From left, Lacey Morris, Josh Smithers and Danny Prine along with all the employees at the Best Buy in Hurst, Texas, rehearse for Black Friday on the Sunday before. Amy Peterson Star-Telegram
Nov. 23, 2007: Amber Gibson and daughter Mychaela, 10, wait in line before 6 a.m. at Parks Mall in Arlington for free gift bags and Christmas bargains.
Nov. 23, 2007: Amber Gibson and daughter Mychaela, 10, wait in line before 6 a.m. at Parks Mall in Arlington for free gift bags and Christmas bargains. JOYCE MARSHALL STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 23, 2007: Kodi Ervin, a department supervisor, helps shoppers at Toys R Us in Arlington who lined up before 5 a.m. looking for Christmas bargains.
Nov. 23, 2007: Kodi Ervin, a department supervisor, helps shoppers at Toys R Us in Arlington who lined up before 5 a.m. looking for Christmas bargains. JOYCE MARSHALL STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 23, 2007: Jennifer McMillen of Arlington wins a free Wii after standing in line before 6 a.m. at Parks Mall in Arlington.
Nov. 23, 2007: Jennifer McMillen of Arlington wins a free Wii after standing in line before 6 a.m. at Parks Mall in Arlington. JOYCE MARSHALL STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 23, 2007: Black Friday shoppers line up outside the Circuit City in Hurst at 5:30 a.m. The first in line were at the store at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Nov. 23, 2007: Black Friday shoppers line up outside the Circuit City in Hurst at 5:30 a.m. The first in line were at the store at 4 p.m. Thursday. IAN MCVEA STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 23, 2007: Black Friday shoppers Nicole Fore (left), Justin Shields and his sister Jackie Shields leave Toys R Us with bags of Christmas shopping in Hurst.
Nov. 23, 2007: Black Friday shoppers Nicole Fore (left), Justin Shields and his sister Jackie Shields leave Toys R Us with bags of Christmas shopping in Hurst. IAN MCVEA STAR-TELEGRAM
Nov. 28, 2008: Monica Hernandez of Arlington shops at the Toys R Us in Arlington at 5 a.m. on Black Friday with her 3-year-old son, Kruz.
Nov. 28, 2008: Monica Hernandez of Arlington shops at the Toys R Us in Arlington at 5 a.m. on Black Friday with her 3-year-old son, Kruz. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
Nov. 28, 2008: Shoppers crowd Old Navy at the Ridgmar Mall for Black Friday shopping.
Nov. 28, 2008: Shoppers crowd Old Navy at the Ridgmar Mall for Black Friday shopping. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
Nov. 25, 2008: Jose Arroyo Jr. helps his father, Jose Arroyo, shop at Target for Christmas decorations
Nov. 25, 2008: Jose Arroyo Jr. helps his father, Jose Arroyo, shop at Target for Christmas decorations Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
Nov. 27, 2009: Thousands of Black Friday shoppers line up at a Toys ‘R’ Us near Northeast Mall in Hurst just after the store’s midnight opening
Nov. 27, 2009: Thousands of Black Friday shoppers line up at a Toys ‘R’ Us near Northeast Mall in Hurst just after the store’s midnight opening Brandon Wade SPECIAL
Nov. 27, 2009: Elizabeth Gutierrez stays warm as she waits for the Best Buy in Dallas to open. She arrived at the store at 9 pm Thursday.
Nov. 27, 2009: Elizabeth Gutierrez stays warm as she waits for the Best Buy in Dallas to open. She arrived at the store at 9 pm Thursday. RON BASELICE Star-Telegram
2009: Dylan Slick, 16, and Daren Slick, 18, brought blankets and cots to stay warm and comfortable while waiting in line to buy laptops and TVs at Best Buy near Northeast Mall in Hurst. The brothers said that they’ve waited inline for Black Friday deals for the past five years. “It’s not so much about the deals, it’s just hanging out,” Daren said.
2009: Dylan Slick, 16, and Daren Slick, 18, brought blankets and cots to stay warm and comfortable while waiting in line to buy laptops and TVs at Best Buy near Northeast Mall in Hurst. The brothers said that they’ve waited inline for Black Friday deals for the past five years. “It’s not so much about the deals, it’s just hanging out,” Daren said. Brandon Wade Star-Telegram
2009: The first Black Friday shoppers enter the Toys ‘R’ Us near Northeast Mall in Hurst just after the store’s midnight opening. Several thousand people stood in line looking for deals.
2009: The first Black Friday shoppers enter the Toys ‘R’ Us near Northeast Mall in Hurst just after the store’s midnight opening. Several thousand people stood in line looking for deals. Brandon Wade Star-Telegram
2010: Stephanie Pham, 17, cheers with her brother, Douglas Pham, after he got the last ticket for a 40-inch TV at Target in Hurst, which opened at 4 a.m. on Black Friday.
2010: Stephanie Pham, 17, cheers with her brother, Douglas Pham, after he got the last ticket for a 40-inch TV at Target in Hurst, which opened at 4 a.m. on Black Friday. Juan Guajardo Star-Telegram
2010: Shoppers at Super Target in Allen, Texas, run into the store at 3 a.m. to take advantage of Black Friday deals.
2010: Shoppers at Super Target in Allen, Texas, run into the store at 3 a.m. to take advantage of Black Friday deals. DAVID WOO The Dallas Morning News
2010: Trinh Pham, 22, of Arlington takes a rest while she waits in line at Target in Allen, Texas, after waiting in line since 9 p.m. on Thursday night to take advantage of Black Friday deals.
2010: Trinh Pham, 22, of Arlington takes a rest while she waits in line at Target in Allen, Texas, after waiting in line since 9 p.m. on Thursday night to take advantage of Black Friday deals. DAVID WOO The Dallas Morning News
2010: A long line of people wait for Best Buy in Hurst to open. Several people bought large televisions
2010: A long line of people wait for Best Buy in Hurst to open. Several people bought large televisions Juan Guajardo Star-Telegram
2010: Hilda Marrutto, Carolina Vasquez and Marco Reynaga receive tickets for big-item discounts from store manager Lisa Bushland at Target in Hurst, which opened at 4 a.m. on Black Friday. Hundreds of shoppers arrived hours earlier to get deals.
2010: Hilda Marrutto, Carolina Vasquez and Marco Reynaga receive tickets for big-item discounts from store manager Lisa Bushland at Target in Hurst, which opened at 4 a.m. on Black Friday. Hundreds of shoppers arrived hours earlier to get deals. Juan Guajardo Star-Telegram
2011: Battling the evening chill in Hurst, Erin Carter of Roanoke and friend Delores Thurston of Jefferson City, Missouri, waited in the line for their daughters who went to shop at other stores.
2011: Battling the evening chill in Hurst, Erin Carter of Roanoke and friend Delores Thurston of Jefferson City, Missouri, waited in the line for their daughters who went to shop at other stores. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram
Nov. 24, 2011: The line is still long, but smiling, at almost 10 p.m., one hour after opening. Black Friday began on Thanksgiving as a huge throng of shoppers started their holiday shopping at Toys R Us in Hurst.
Nov. 24, 2011: The line is still long, but smiling, at almost 10 p.m., one hour after opening. Black Friday began on Thanksgiving as a huge throng of shoppers started their holiday shopping at Toys R Us in Hurst. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram
2011: Anthony Lara holds a store pamphlet while waiting with friends Amber Branton and Josh Zamarripa in line about 3:30 p.m. at Toys R Us in Hurst.
2011: Anthony Lara holds a store pamphlet while waiting with friends Amber Branton and Josh Zamarripa in line about 3:30 p.m. at Toys R Us in Hurst. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram
2011: The crush at the checkout line for Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving, as a huge throng of shoppers start their holiday shopping at Toys R Us in Hurst.
2011: The crush at the checkout line for Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving, as a huge throng of shoppers start their holiday shopping at Toys R Us in Hurst. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram
2013: The line grew steadily throughout the evening until Kohl’s opening at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, in North Richland Hills
2013: The line grew steadily throughout the evening until Kohl’s opening at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, in North Richland Hills Paul Moseley Star-Telegram
2013: In the rush of shopping, Jonathan Stallins and his sister Latasha Mitchell pour over Kohl’s ads to see what they might have missed in North Richland Hills.
2013: In the rush of shopping, Jonathan Stallins and his sister Latasha Mitchell pour over Kohl’s ads to see what they might have missed in North Richland Hills. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram
2013: Sporting decorative head gear, early morning Black Friday shoppers Mason Fannan and Dakota Van Voast, both of Fort Worth, wait in the checkout line at a Kohl’s store in Keller, Texas.
2013: Sporting decorative head gear, early morning Black Friday shoppers Mason Fannan and Dakota Van Voast, both of Fort Worth, wait in the checkout line at a Kohl’s store in Keller, Texas. Ian McVea Star-Telegram
2015: Shoppers line up at Best Buy for deals on Black Friday at North East Mall in Hurst on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
2015: Shoppers line up at Best Buy for deals on Black Friday at North East Mall in Hurst on Thursday, November 26, 2015. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
2015: Shoppers line up at Victoria’s Secret on Black Friday at North East Mall in Hurst on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
2015: Shoppers line up at Victoria’s Secret on Black Friday at North East Mall in Hurst on Thursday, November 26, 2015. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
2016: Toys R Us kicked off Black Friday sales by actually opening doors at 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2016.
2016: Toys R Us kicked off Black Friday sales by actually opening doors at 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2016. Joyce Marshall jlmarshall@star-telegram.com
2016: Nicole Carney of Colleyville dressed up to shop with family members as Toys R Us kicked off Black Friday sales by actually opening doors at 5 p.m. Thursday, November 24, 2016.
2016: Nicole Carney of Colleyville dressed up to shop with family members as Toys R Us kicked off Black Friday sales by actually opening doors at 5 p.m. Thursday, November 24, 2016. Joyce Marshall jlmarshall@star-telegram.com
Profile Image of Matt Leclercq
Matt Leclercq
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Matt Leclercq was senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 2021 to 2026. He is now editor of The Charlotte Observer and can be reached at mleclercq@charlotteobserver.com. 
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